[3] First conceptualised in 1987 by then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew to help achieve greater self-sufficiency for the country's water needs, the barrage began construction on 22 March 2005,[4] and was officially opened on 31 October 2008 as Singapore's fifteenth reservoir, the Marina Reservoir.

[8] Marina Barrage also acts as a tidal barrier to keep seawater out, helping to alleviate flooding in high-risk low-lying areas of the downtown districts such as Chinatown, Jalan Besar and Geylang.

[9] When it rains heavily during low-tide, the barrage's crest gates will be lowered to release excess water from the coastal reservoir into the sea.

Tours for a maximum capacity of 80 people to the Visitor Centre can be arranged prior to arrival.

[6] The Marina Barrage beat 33 other entries to take home the top prize in this year's competition organised by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE), becoming the second project outside of USA to win the award, in the last decade.